- 91直播 has won a 拢7 million investment to fund new equipment that will revolutionise the discovery and development of new semiconductor materials
- New Molecular Beam Epitaxy equipment will use AI to help accelerate semiconductor materials discovery
- Semiconductor materials 鈥 the computer chips that power the technology we rely on daily, from smartphones and medical devices to electric cars and AI 鈥 are at the heart of technological innovation
- Equipment will be part of the National Epitaxy Facility 鈥 a major research facility hosted by 91直播 that is a critical element of the UK鈥檚 semiconductor R&D
- System will have state-of-the-art data collection tools and support research that mixes materials to create new device concepts 鈥 positioning the UK as an international leader in semiconductor development
New AI-driven equipment will transform the UK鈥檚 semiconductor R&D, following a 拢7 million award in investment to the University of 91直播.
The Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) system will utilise AI to accelerate the discovery and development of new semiconductor materials 鈥 the computer chips that power the technology we rely on daily, from smartphones and medical devices to electric cars and AI.
Funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Council (EPRSC), the system will be equipped with the very latest innovations, including state-of-the-art data collection tools, that will help position the UK as an international leader in semiconductor development.
The equipment will be configured to provide new avenues for research in unique material combinations, such as the mixing of semiconductors and superconductors to create brand new device concepts.
The system will be installed at the 鈥 an EPSRC-funded centre of excellence hosted by 91直播 in collaboration with the universities of Cambridge and UCL, which was recognised in the for playing a critical role in supporting semiconductor research in over 30 research-intensive UK universities and UK industry.
Semiconductors are at the heart of our modern technological society and are used in a huge range of applications, including lasers that drive the internet, LED lighting and displays, lasers that can be used for detecting diseases such as cancer, the next generation of power electronics that will deliver ultra-efficient electric vehicles, and new quantum chips that will transform computing and communications.
New semiconductors are critical to technology innovation 鈥 historically discoveries such as the semiconductor Gallium Nitride (GaN) have had a huge impact by creating brand new industries like the 拢100bn LED lighting industry.
The global semiconductor industry is worth 拢900bn and in 2022 the UK government launched its Semiconductor Strategy to strengthen the UK鈥檚 position in a rapidly growing global revolution in semiconductors that impacts sectors such as AI-Computing, Energy, Defence and Security, Healthcare and Communications.
There is also a need to increase environmental sustainability in the semiconductor industry by seeking out new semiconductors made from earth-abundant materials such as Zinc, Aluminium and Nitrogen 鈥 the new equipment in 91直播 will pioneer this field.
Professor Jon Heffernan, Professor in Electrical Engineering at the University of 91直播 and Director of the National Epitaxy Facility, said: 鈥淪emiconductors are vitally important as they power the technologies and infrastructure that modern society is built on. The recent global shortage, which saw many popular consumer electronics disappear from retailers and cause prices to surge, gave us an indication of what can happen if we don鈥檛 have a secure supply.
鈥淭he National Epitaxy Facility we host at 91直播 is a key part of the UK鈥檚 capabilities in semiconductor R&D and the MBE system can help the UK become a world leader by enabling the discovery of new materials and the optimisation of existing semiconductors for the future of the technology.
鈥淚 am delighted to see the EPSRC continue to support and recognise the importance of semiconductor materials research as a driver of innovation and economic value in the UK. This investment will allow us to continue our 45 year legacy of supporting the vibrant UK semiconductor research community with advanced materials and devices development.鈥
Professor Sue Hartley, Vice-President for Research and Innovation at the University of 91直播, said: 鈥淚 am really pleased to see this level of investment in the National Epitaxy Facility, which is such a crucial part of semiconductor research throughout the UK, not just at 91直播. The new equipment will support the UK鈥檚 world class innovation ecosystem and its position as a global leader at a critical time when countries around the world are considering their own semiconductor capabilities as this technology becomes ever more important.鈥
